NBAA Update Archive

TOP NEWS

NBAA, Others Call for Action on Third-Class Medical Exemption NBAA recently joined with other aviation stakeholders in calling for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to expedite its review of an FAA notice of proposed rulemaking to reform the third-class medical certification requirement. "The FAA's medical certification system has evolved into an onerous and costly one which has questionable, if any, benefit to general aviation pilots," read the Aug. 15 letter, which was sent to DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx and signed by leaders of seven aviation groups, including NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "Conservative estimates indicate that medical certification reform would result in an annual savings of more than $1 million to the FAA." Read the full letter sent to Foxx.

NBAA Encourages Aircraft Management Companies to Provide Feedback on FET Audits The IRS has become more aggressive in federal excise tax (FET) audits, and auditors have been assessing the 7.5 percent FET on a variety of non-commercial managed flight operations, including flights conducted by aircraft owners under Part 91. NBAA believes the IRS is incorrectly interpreting existing law and has been working hard to seek guidance that clarifies the ticket tax should not be due on amounts paid to management companies for Part 91 operations. NBAA needs help to better understand which Member Companies are providing aircraft management services, and what their recent experiences with the IRS have been. All responses will be kept confidential. Review the survey.

NBAA Member Resource: Potential Pitfalls of Broker-Generated Aircraft Purchase Agreements The Association has a new Member resource to assist in navigating broker-generated aircraft purchase agreements. It was provided by James Meyer, an attorney with the firm of Harper Meyer in Miami, FL, who is a member of NBAA's Tax Committee planning group. The article provides best practices that buyers and sellers can use to evaluate aircraft purchase agreements. NBAA also offers its NBAA Aircraft Transactions Guide, which provides an introduction to the regulatory, tax, financial and transactional issues that come together during an aircraft acquisition. Review the article.

FAA to Rework Helicopter Certification Standards Following a request for comment from rotorcraft industry stakeholders, and in line with previously announced actions to streamline Part 23 certification requirements for light fixed-wing aircraft, the FAA has announced it will also examine making significant revisions to the certification process for helicopters. In its recent announcement, the FAA acknowledged that, "the evolution of Parts 27 and 29 has not kept pace with technology and the capability of rotorcraft produced currently." The agency also noted that, of the 48 comments received from helicopter operators, trade associations and other industry stakeholders, only three were in favor of maintaining the current standards. Read more.

NBAA2014 to Offer Interviews for Global Entry Program International business travelers seeking simplified entry into the United States will have the opportunity to meet with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials during the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2014) in Orlando, FL. Global Entry offers expedited clearance processing into the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers using automated kiosks available at 34 U.S. airports, eight pre-clearance airports in Canada and two pre-clearance sites in Ireland. Interview slots at the convention are expected to fill up quickly, so those interested are encouraged to apply early and schedule the on-site interview as soon as possible. Learn more about Global Entry at NBAA2014.

New, Enhanced NBAA Compensation Survey Available for Purchase Now better than ever, the 2014 NBAA Compensation Survey features new charts and graphical presentations of industry-provided salary and benefit data. This year's survey focuses solely on salary and benefit information. The annual survey is conducted to help NBAA Member representatives and company salary administrators evaluate their flight departments by providing a comprehensive review of aviation department personnel compensation and operational data. Learn more and purchase the survey.

INDUSTRY ADVOCACY

In Alabama Newspaper, NBAA Highlights Business Aviation's Benefits for Public Officials When the Huntsville [AL] Times newspaper's website recently aired an opinion piece critical of business aviation use by the state's governor, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen was quick to respond with a piece of his own, published on Aug. 24, which explained how the benefits of business aviation for entrepreneurs and companies also accrue to public officials with demanding business-travel needs. "Business aviation is a tool that successful organizations and individuals use to make possible productive travel, including the ability to access three or four locations in a single day," Bolen's letter states. "So it is no surprise that global business leaders, small-business entrepreneurs, public officials whose time is in demand, and many others, use airplanes to meet their business needs." Read Bolen's full letter.

South Carolina, Montana Recognize Aviation in August The governors of South Carolina and Montana recently issued official statements declaring the value of general aviation (GA), including business aviation. "These governors know that the economic health and well-being of their state depends in part on businesses that utilize GA aircraft to reach their customers quickly and efficiently," said Bob Quinn, NBAA's Midwest regional representative. "NBAA appreciates the proclamations from these governors." Learn more about aviation in South Carolina and Montana.

FEATURED STORY

Preventing the Unintended Safety Consequences of Public Policy The government regulates the National Airspace System (NAS) with the intent of promoting safety, but what happens when the regulations themselves might adversely impact safety? NBAA's Safety Committee has named public policy as one of its top Safety Focus Areas to bring attention to the unintended consequences legislative and regulatory actions may have on business aviation safety. "NBAA Members are totally focused on safety, and we don't want to see programs that might unintentionally encourage them to act against safety," said NBAA Vice President, Government Affairs Dick Doubrava. Listen to this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast for more on ensuring policy proposals don't interfere with business aviation safety.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Europe Delays ADS-B Out, But NBAA Encourages Operators to Continue Equipment Planning The European Commission recently announced a delay in the deadline for aircraft operators to outfit their aircraft with ADS-B Out equipment. The original compliance dates to operate in European ADS-B airspace were Jan. 8, 2015 for new aircraft and Dec. 7, 2017 for aircraft needing retrofit installations. The new compliance dates are June 8, 2016 for new aircraft and June 7, 2020 for aircraft needing retrofits. "The delay of the European ADS-B Out mandate might be helpful for operators who need additional time to comply, but we encourage NBAA Member Companies to install ADS-B equipment as soon as possible," said Brian Koester, NBAA's project manager, operations and the staff liaison to the NBAA Domestic Operations Committee. Learn more about ADS-B delays in Europe.

FAA Issues NOTAM for Syria On Aug. 18, the FAA issued a new notice to airmen (NOTAM) restricting U.S. operators from flying in the Damascus Flight Information Region, which includes all of Syria. "Based on an updated assessment of the risk associated with such operations, and the lack of any requests from operators wishing to fly in this airspace, we believe it prudent to prohibit U.S. operators from flying into, out of and over Syria," the FAA said in a statement. Read the FAA's full NOTAM for Syria.

NBAA Regional Representatives Working with NASAO Officials to Preserve Airports Continued collaboration between NBAA and the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) will once again be highlighted at NASAO's 2014 Annual Convention and Trade Show, to be held Sept. 7 to 9 in Providence, RI. All six of NBAA's regional representatives will be on hand to interact with the state aviation directors for their regions and work with them to protect and preserve airports nationwide. "We make it a point to support NASAO officials by providing them with educational materials, strategies and information to help them in their challenges of developing - and in some cases preserving - access to their communities through their airports," said Steve Hadley, NBAA director of regional programs and Southwest regional representative. Learn more about NBAA’s support of NASAO.

NBAA NEWS

NBAA2014 Safety Town Hall Meeting to Examine Professionalism Professionalism will be the primary focus of the NBAA Safety Town Meeting, set for Oct. 21, during NBAA2014. Session moderator Steve Charbonneau, incoming chairman of the NBAA Safety Committee, urged everyone to attend the Safety Town Hall, "because we will be engaging everyone in the conversation that surrounds professionalism." Aviation safety initiatives are too often pilot-centric, "but the reality is that we all play a role." Read more about the Safety Town Hall Meeting.

Learn the Tax Benefits of Owning a Business Aircraft at NBAA's Tax Conference Attend the 2014 NBAA Tax, Regulatory & Risk Management Conference on Oct. 19 and 20 in Orlando, FL to learn how to achieve maximum tax benefits of aircraft ownership while avoiding costly pitfalls. This conference is held the two days prior to NBAA2014, and registrants of the Tax Conference receive complimentary registration to the convention. Conference speakers, recognized as experts in aviation tax and regulatory planning, will provide the insights needed to maximize the value of business aircraft ownership. Learn more.

Head to Orlando Prepared: Get the Official NBAA2014 Mobile App The free NBAA2014 mobile application for iPhones, Androids, Blackberrys and other devices helps attendees prepare for the convention, and enhances their event experience. The mobile app features an exhibitor directory, interactive floor plan, full agenda with calendar sync capabilities and NBAA social media streams. It also enables users to share photos from the convention with other attendees. Stay in the loop and download the NBAA2014 mobile app.

Nominations Issued for NBAA Board of Directors In accordance with the NBAA Bylaws, the Nominating Committee has nominated seven individuals for election to the Board of Directors at the next annual meeting of the Association, to be held on Oct. 22 in Orlando, FL. Elizabeth Dornak of DuPont Aviation, Ron Duncan of General Communications, Inc., Monte Koch of Falconshare LLC, Lloyd Newton of Sonoco Products Company, Jim Schwertner of Schwertner Farms, Richard Shine of Manitoba Corp. and John White of Valero Energy were nominated for re-election to the board, each for a three-year term. For more information on the nomination process, review the NBAA Bylaws.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Deadline This Week: Schedulers & Dispatchers Leadership Award Nominations Members who would like to nominate a colleague for NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Outstanding Achievement and Leadership Award should submit nominations by this Friday, Aug. 29. The award recognizes professionals who share outstanding business aviation industry expertise, provide extraordinary service, exhibit leadership and have made significant contributions to the scheduling and dispatching function. The recipient will be presented with the award on Feb. 4, at NBAA's Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2015) in San Jose, CA. Download the nomination form.

Certified Aviation Manager Credit Available for SDC2015 Education Sessions Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program credit will again be available to people who attend education sessions at SDC2015, set for Feb. 3 to 6, 2015, in San Jose, CA. "We are thrilled to provide attendees of the 2015 Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference with this opportunity to earn Certified Aviation Manager credit," said Jo Damato, NBAA's director of educational development and strategy and the staff liaison to the Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee. "Many individuals who attend this event are performing leadership functions and would be great candidates for CAM certification." Learn more about earning CAM credit at SDC2015.

NBAA Safety Committee Chairman Eric Barfield suggests that business aircraft operators engage with lawmakers and regulators on a regular basis, getting to know them when there is no pressing issue at hand. “When you have that type of interaction and familiarity, then when an issue comes along, you have a much stronger voice,” he noted. Learn more in this week's NBAA Flight Plan podcast.

Now is the time to plan for the year ahead. Explore NBAA's education and networking opportunities in 2015, designed specifically for business aviation professionals in every discipline. There are a wide range of programs available to meet your needs, including education and professional development opportunities, networking forums to share industry best practices and venues to find the latest products and services for your operation. Plus, NBAA Members get discounted prices on registration.

NBAA Update is the National Business Aviation Association's weekly e-newsletter providing a synopsis of the latest operational, regulatory and legislative news for the business aviation community, as well as information about NBAA activities, Member benefits and upcoming industry events. Share feedback at update@nbaa.org.